Snakebite First Aid

Government of South Australia Department of Health, Snakebite and Spider bite Management Guidelines, Prof. Julian White, 2006 http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/85950800457e1fda87c5d7519b2d33fa/SnakebiteSpiderbiteGuidelinesSA-SAHealth08.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=85950800457e1fda87c5d7519b2d33fa

AUSTRALIAN RESUSCITATION COUNCIL GUIDELINE 9.4.8 ENVENOMATION - PRESSURE IMMOBILISATION TECHNIQUE http://www.resus.org.au/

Australian venom research unit http://www.avru.org/compendium/biogs/A000066b.htm

Queensland Health http://www.health.qld.gov.au/poisonsinformationcentre/bites_stings/bs_pressure.asp

Sources:

PLEASE NOTE: This is for your information only. All effort has been made to ensure this is current information that may prove useful in situations where an increased awareness is important.

Common South Australian snakes• Common or Eastern Brown

• Red bellied Black

• Tiger

• Copperhead

• Phone 000, or send someone to phone and get help• Maintain airway/breathing if impaired• Keep the patient TOTALLY IMMOBILE (lying down) and try to calm

them • PRESSURE IMMOBILISATION

– As soon as possible, apply an elastic pressure bandage to the site of the bite. Bandage firmly as for a sprain but do not cut off circulation. Then apply further pressure bandages from the toes upwards, to cover the whole limb. Support the leg to minimise movement while bandaging.

– Immediately splint or sling the bandaged limb to prevent movement

• Bring help to the patient rather than moving the patient• Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the

emergency department of the nearest hospital

WHAT TO DO

• Do not remove the bandages or splint• Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake.• Do not apply a tourniquet• Do not cut the wound• Do not clean the wound• Do not remove clothing• Do not give alcohol, food, stimulants

WHAT NOT TO DO

Pressure immobilisation, lower limbCall 000. Send someone for help.Maintain airway/breathing if impaired.Keep patient still. PRESSURE AND IMMOBILISATION:

Bandage:

As soon as possible, apply a broad elastic pressure bandage over the bite site. Bandage firmly as for a sprained ankle, but not so tight that circulation is prevented. Do not remove pants or trousers, simply bandage over the top of the clothing.

It is very important to keep the bitten limb still. Support the limb while bandaging, to avoid movement, but try to avoid elevation.

Apply further pressure bandages, starting at the toes and working up the affected limb as far as possible to compress the lymphatic vessels. Leave the tips of the toes un-bandaged to allow the victim’s circulation to be checked.

Mark the site of the bite on the bandage

Splint:

It is vital to now apply a splint to keep the limb still and help restrict venom movement. Bind a stick or suitable rigid item over the initial bandage. Secure the splint to as much of the bandaged limb as possible, by using more bandages(if bandages are not available, use clothing strips or similar to bind.

Make sure to bind the splint firmly to joints above and below the bite site, to prevent muscle and joint movement.

Bring help to the patient rather than moving the patient. Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the emergency department of the nearest hospital

Images from the Australian Venom Research Unit

Pressure Immobilisation, other areas

Call 000. Maintain airway/breathing if impaired.Keep patient still.

Bites to the hand or forearm• As soon as possible, apply a broad pressure bandage from the fingers of the affected

arm, bandaging upward as far as possible. Bandage the arm with the elbow in a bent position, to ensure the victim is comfortable with their arm in a sling. Leave the tips of the fingers unbandaged to allow the victim’s circulation to be checked. Bind a splint along the forearm. Use a sling to further prevent limb movement.

Bites to the trunk (body)• If possible apply firm pressure over the bitten area. Do not restrict chest movement.

Bites to the head or neck• No first aid for bitten area.

Bring help to the patient rather than moving the patient. Have the patient taken immediately by ambulance to the emergency department of the

nearest hospital

When to use Pressure ImmobilisationPressure-immobilisation was initially developed to treat snakebite, but may also be applicable to bites and stings by some other venomous creatures. It is currently recommended for most life threatening venomous bites and stings in Australia.

• Pressure-immobilisation is recommended for:• all species of Australian snakes, including sea snakes• funnel web spiders• mouse spiders• blue ringed octopus• cone shell stings

Do not use pressure immobilisation first aid for box jelly fish stings; it may exacerbate nematocyst discharge.